Maggie MacNeil Declines Pan Pac Nomination In Favor Of Juniors In Fiji

2018 CANADIAN SWIMMING TRIALS

18-year-old Maggie MacNeil of the London Aquatic Club has declined her nomination for the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships in order to attend the Junior Pan Pacs in Fiji. MacNeil made the announcement on her private Instagram account.

On the post, she said:

“Over the moon to have qualified for my first senior national team and swam under the FINA “A” cut in the 100 fly. However, I have made the difficult decision to decline my nomination and attend Jr. Pan PACs in Fiji. Congrats to everyone who raced this weekend, good luck to those heading to Tokyo and can’t wait to compete with those heading to Fiji. As always, GO CANADA!”.

MacNeil first earned a spot on the Pan Pac team by placing 4th in the 100 freestyle, recording a new personal best of 56.05. Already qualified, she then swam another best time in the 100 fly, finishing as the runner-up to Penny Oleksiak in 58.44 to sneak under the FINA ‘A’ standard of 58.48.

MacNeil also competed at the Junior Pan Pacs two years ago in Maui, where she had three top-16 finishes including taking 5th in the 100 fly.

With MacNeil no longer on the team, the Canadian roster stands at 29 with one day remaining.

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Pvdh
6 years ago

Tbh I’d rather go to Fiji too

SUNY Cal
6 years ago

Does she go to Michigan?

juddy96
Reply to  SUNY Cal
6 years ago

Incoming freshman this year

taa
6 years ago

I dont like it. Pan Pacs is in Tokyo and she should have gone to get familiar with the city for 2020. And she should be trying to take the fly leg on the relay away from Oleksiak if she doesnt return to old form. But on the plus side the surfing is by far superior in Fiji and maybe her family is planning to join her there.

Hswimmer
Reply to  taa
6 years ago

Old form??? She’s been under very heavy training with the GATORS. You must not understand the yardage they go through. She is not tapered at all here.

Taa
Reply to  Hswimmer
6 years ago

Rooney must not understand either cause he still hasnt broken 1:47. If she can’t get within .5 of her best at PAn PACs then you will all agree with me 😄

Aquajosh
Reply to  Taa
6 years ago

This is the first summer he’s stayed in Gainesville to train, so let’s wait until after Nationals. The 1:48 he swam a few weeks ago was pretty promising.

Dee
Reply to  taa
6 years ago

Or, perhaps, she knows what’s best for her own development both in the sport and away from it?

Hannah
Reply to  taa
6 years ago

If anyone is taking the fly leg away from Oleksiak it’s Rebecca Smith.

612
6 years ago

Love this decision. Gain confidence/experience at a level where she can be a contender for a title. Obviously not the sole reason, or any reason at all, for her decision; but this can be beneficial to her swimming career. Best of luck Maggie!

Hswimmer
Reply to  612
6 years ago

Totally agree.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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